View photos/Kristen M. White These puppies are waiting at the Pueblo West-based Pueblo Collie/Sheltie Rescue center for adoptive homes.

Local rescue shelter aims to save furry friends

By KRISTEN M. WHITE
The Pueblo West View

If your New Year’s resolution includes doing something good for others, then perhaps you should consider helping some four-legged friends through the Pueblo Collie/Sheltie Rescue organization.

Although based in Pueblo West, the organization, which started in 1979, helps collies and shelties throughout Colorado and even neighboring states. Dogs who have been relinquished, were abused, abandoned or had numbered days at an animal shelter find new homes through the rescue.

"This is a network of people who are absolutely passionate about animals," said Director Hope Hemperly. "It’s a network of enlightened human beings who do everything they can for the animals who don’t have a voice."

In 2008 the organization helped more than 170 dogs. And although all the volunteers of this non-profit 501(c)3 group do everything they can, they’re in desperate need of more help, whether it be in the form of foster homes, transportation or other volunteer work.

"Fostering is the most loving thing you can do, whether it’s a child or a dog or cat," Hemperly said. "It means opening your lives and your hearts and your home to somebody who needs you."

Many of the dogs helped by the rescue have medical, emotional or training deficits. But with some care and some work, they go on to become good pets for welcoming families.

The foster families for the rescue are especially important because they provide a place for each dog to enjoy a happy, loving environment until a permanent home is found. Hemperly said the "beauty of the Internet" helps a great deal with finding the dogs homes quickly, but they still need a home in the interim.

After a new rescue dog has been checked over and received any needed medical care, the dog either goes to Hemperly’s home, which she refers to as "doggie central," or to an experienced foster home.

The rescue organization has a fostering committee that works with families interested in becoming foster homes. The members interview potential families, conduct a home visit and check references to be sure the family will provide a good temporary home.

Sometimes foster homes last only a few days, while other times it takes weeks to find a new permanent home for a dog. But, there are other ways to help the rescue group if fostering doesn’t sound ideal.

"Just as a volunteer altogether, what can you do? Help with transport? Walk dogs? There are all kinds of things they can do," Hemperly said.

The rescue concentrates its efforts on collies, shelties and related mix-breed dogs. It was started in 1979 by Harry and Dawn Amick as a collie rescue, and shelties were later added to the mix.

"It’s breed specific because no one can do justice by doing everything," Hemperly said. "If you narrow your focus, to your little corner of the world, and if everybody has their own little corner and holds hands É we can accomplish something."

The rescue strives to help as many dogs and puppies as possible. Although some come in with serious needs or concerns (like a recent newcomer who is being treated for heartworm disease), Hemperly said she and the others just want to help their furry friends.

When dogs are ready for adoption, their information is posted on the rescue’s Web site, www.pueblocollie sheltie.org, and also is crossed-referenced on other sites such as www.petfinder .com.

But the organization can only help as many dogs as their volunteers can possibly get to, so the more people who help - either by fostering or volunteering in another capacity - the more animals will be saved, which is exactly what the group wants to do.

"We are only as strong as our bond between the humans, so that we can help the animals," Hemperly said.

Anyone interested in helping the rescue can get information and contact board members from the group’s Web site.

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